Technology Killed The Mouse
Chuck E. Cheese dominated the frontier of birthday party planning and entertainment meals in the early 2000s, but technology transformed the industry into a dated platform. At one point, parents shelled out a twenty in exchange for a handful of game tokens, but this willingness likely shifted when free smartphone applications and console gaming began to saturate the market. These new activities would impact not only how children wanted to spend their time, but also change where they chose to do these activities.
Chuck E. Cheese famously remarks that their venue is where a kid can be a kid, but an influx in social media usage and smartphone users complicates such a phrase. How does one interpret childhood these days? Only a fraction of children below the age of 12 owned a cellphone 15 years ago, but Common Sense Media mapped out how such a statistic has ballooned.
According to research gathered by National Public Radio, nearly half of adolescents now own a tablet device. The same article also cited that 98 percent of homes with children have a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone.
This developmental risk serves to childhood experiences enormous implications we have just begun to understand, explained James Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense Media.
Though not the root cause of Chuck E. Cheeses defeat, these statistics complement a larger conversation on where the American entertainment industry is headed.
Chuck E Cheese Debuts All New Monster Menu Items Nighttime Kids Dance & Costume Party And More For 2nd Annual Boo
Chuck E. Cheese, the number one global family entertainment venue, is bringing out frightful fun for its second annual Chuck E. Cheese Halloween Boo-tacular Celebration.
Boo-tacular is the latest Season of Fun that will give kids and families delightful new reasons to come spend the fall season with Chuck E. Cheese and his friends. “This is the second year that we are hosting our Halloween Boo-tacular celebration, and we are so excited! We will give away free candy each night and have conjured up ghoulish goodies featuring slime desserts with spooky eyeballs and of course frightful worms to make your Halloween visit to Chuck E. Cheese unforgettable,” said CMO of CEC Entertainment LLC., Sherri Landry. “This Boo-tacular season we are packing in every bit of Halloween magic imaginable into our six week long party. Every location will have its own Halloween inspired decorations, perfect for our young guests, and we invite all families, goblins, witches, and superheroes to come and have fun with us this Halloween!”
Savings Worth Screaming About
10 FREE Play Points when kids come dressed to play at Chuck E. Cheese in their costume, minimum of $5 game purchase required
Combo #5 starting at $52.69, guests can get 2 Large 1-Topping Pizzas, a Slime Cookie and 6 soft drinks. Price varies by location.
Boo-tacular Nights Every Night Starting at 6pm
Families will also fall into a trance after they try these limited time “monster” menu items:
About CEC Entertainment, LLC.
Monday To Sunday Hours
Monday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Many restaurants will open later than normal and close earlier than normal on holidays, such as Easter, Thanksgiving Day and New Years Day. Most restaurants close EARLY on Christmas Eve and close LATER than normal on Black Friday. Call ahead to check the exact Chuck E. Cheeses holiday hours of operation. Also, please note that some locations are closed on Sundays..
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Cottage Cheese Arms
Chuck E Cheese Hours Additional Details
If you want to know what time does Chuck E Cheese open or close all throughout the week, the table above shows you general information about their schedule. Chuck E Cheese is open from 11 AM until 9 PM, between Monday and Thursday. On both Friday and Saturday, Chuck E Cheese stays open between 10 AM and 10 PM, but on Sunday, they go back to their weekly schedule of only being open from 11 AM until 9 PM.
A few locations will open at 10 AM each day, and even at 9 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Sinc the Chuck E Cheese hours really depend on location, you should check your local Chuck E Cheese hours before visiting the store.
Most Chuck E Cheese locations will be closed on the following holidays:
- Easter Sunday
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
On holidays like New Years Day, Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day, Mothers Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Christmas Eve, or New Years Eve, most Chuck E Cheese locations are open.
Some Chuck E Cheese restaurants may choose to operate on reduced holiday hours during major holidays. In order to find out any holiday specific hours, or other unique hours, use the store locator found on their official website.
Buyout And Modern Redesign
By 2012, CEC was struggling with decreasing revenue. They ran a rebranding campaign, changing the rat mascot into a rock star guitar-playing mouse. In-store restaurant sales continued to decline through 2013 but merchandising and box office revenue increased.
In February 2014, Apollo Global Management acquired CEC Entertainment, Inc. for $54 per share, or about $950 million. In October 2014, under Apollo Global Management, CEC Entertainment announced that they would purchase their Phoenix-based competitor, Peter Piper Pizza from ACON Investments.
In August 2017, the company began to pilot a new design concept at seven remodeled locations , branded as Chuck E. Cheese Pizzeria & Games. These locations feature more upscale decor with a “muted” interior color scheme, an open kitchen, the “Play Pass” card system to replace arcade tokens, and the animatronic stage show replaced by a dance floor area. These changes, along with expansions to food offerings, were intended to help the chain be more appealing to adults and encourage family dining as opposed to primarily hosting parties.
Read Also: How To Make Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Looking Back And Then Ahead
The franchises relationship with video games circles back to the creator of Chuck E. Cheese, Noland Bushnell, who was a co-founder of Atari in the early 70s.
Kitty Jay writes that his original concept was to combine dining with the feeling of being at a carnival. Attendees could enjoy a slice of pizza while watching Mr. Munchs Make Believe Band, an unsettling cast of animatronics, perform various sets.
Chuck E Cheeses Will Look A Lot Different Once It Reopens
All of the more than 610 Chuck E. Cheeses locations around the country remain closed, with no public timeline for reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But when the struggling eatertainment chain once again opens its doors to families for pizza and arcade games, it will operate much differently than it did before COVID-19, according to reopening guidelines shared by the Irving, Texas-based chain earlier this month.
Among the operational changes:
- Guest temperatures will be checked upon entering.
- Masks encouraged for all guests.
- Hands sanitized upon entry.
- Kids will be checked in with a photo, rather than a hand stamp.
- Prepackaged salads will be sold in lieu of the salad bar.
- Birthday parties will only be held by private reservation, outside of normal business hours.
- Multiplayer arcade games will be limited to one player.
- Game prizes will be prepackaged, to limit time at the counter.
- Arcade games will be spaced at least 6 feet apart, along with booths and other seating.
- Stores will be sanitized every 30 minutes.
And the chains signature mouse mascot, Charles Entertainment Cheese, wont be strolling around, posing for selfies with kids, any time soon, according to a recent YouTube statement from CEO David McKillips.
Chuck E. Cheese himself will be resting until he gets ready to get back out on the dance floor, McKillips said.
Regardless of state reopening guidelines, Chuck E. Cheeses will not reopen our door just because we can, the chain said.
You May Like: What To Use Instead Of Milk In Mac And Cheese
What Time Does Chuck E Cheese Open & Close
Anyone that has every had the joy of visiting Chuck E Cheese will know just how much fun it is for kids and adults. The perfect combination of family entertainment and tasty food, Chuck E Cheese has been synonymous with kids parties and family celebrations for decades now. Also, Curious about what time does Chuck E Cheese Open and What time It closes, Chuck E Cheese Hours are shown in the table below.
Arcade games, animatronic figures, amusement rides, and all sorts of fun games and entertainment make it the go-to restaurant for families with children. Its atmosphere is very much a kid-friendly one, where they can run around playing and laughing without a worry.
| CHUCK E CHEESE HOURS | |
|---|---|
| SUNDAY | 11 AM – 9 PM |
The food isnt too bad either! Pizza is the primary focus, although sandwiches, salads, wings and other snacks are on offer too, not mention some amazing-tasting desserts that wont disappoint!
Of course, the big attraction for kids here is the epic entertainment. Tickets for winning at their favorite arcade games will net children winning tickets that can be exchanged for awesome prizes they will.
Additionally, there modern video games to go along with the classics, not to mention run rides that younger kids will definitely love. Plus, who doesnt want to meet the adorable Chuck E himself?!
Children of all ages have something fun to do here at Chuck E Cheese, allowing adults the perfect opportunity to kick back with a bite to eat and a few drinks.
Chuck E Cheese Hours Contact Info
Use the information below to learn more about Chuck E Cheese hours, or get in touch with the restaurant chain for any other questions you might have.
Chuck E Cheese Official Website: Chuck E Cheese Contact Us Page: Chuck E Cheese Guest Relations Phone Number: 1 778-7193Chuck E Cheese Headquarters Address: CEC Entertainment, Attn.: Marketing Department, 1707 Market Place Blvd, Suite 200, Irving, TX 75063Chuck E Cheese Facebook Page: Chuck E Cheese Twitter Page:
Read Also: How To Make Mac N Cheese Healthier
What Time Does Chuck E Cheese Open
Despite not offering any breakfast foods, Chuck E Cheese opening hours are relatively early. Sundays to Thursdays open at 11am while the weekends open a little earlier at 10am.
The opening hours for Chuck E Cheese can be quite important if you are struggle to find time to book a party, as you will more than likely find spots earlier in the day.
Should you just be heading there for a bite to eat, these early opening times are quite useful for avoiding the busier lunchtime rush!
Cec Entertainment Which Also Owns Peter Piper Pizza Cited The Financial Strain From The Pandemic But Still Plans To Operate Venues
The parent company of Chuck E. Cheese declared bankruptcy on Thursday, citing store closures and stay-at-home orders during the pandemic as driving factors.
CEC Entertainment, which also owns Peter Piper Pizza venues, said in a news release that it filed for Chapter 11 protection to achieve a restructuring that supports its re-opening and longer-term strategic plans.
The company signaled no immediate plans to close any of its 612 Chuck E. Cheese locations a favorite destination for childhood birthdays or its 122 Peter Piper Pizza restaurants in four-dozen states. CEC has reopened about half of its 555 company-operated venues since states began lifting coronavirus shutdown orders and said it will continue offering dine-in, delivery and carryout services and hosting birthday parties during specific hours, as well as reopen more locations.
The restaurant and entertainment industries have been hard-hit by the coronavirus shutdown. FoodFirst Global Restaurants, the parent of Brio Italian Mediterranean and Bravo Fresh Italian chains, filed for bankruptcy protection in April, while the Le Pain Quotidien cafe chain followed suit in May, according to news reports. Some restaurants, including Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, have moved to carryout and curbside pickup orders. But both chains reliance on interaction by way of arcade games, ball pits and mechanical claws made them particularly vulnerable in the age of social distancing.
You May Like: Is Cheese High In Purines
What Will Chuck E Cheese Look Like Post
A generation ago, Chuck E. Cheese was the place with the ball pit and the animatronic band and the lukewarm pizza consumed by children so they could keep playing games.
Today, the ball pit is gone and Chuck E. Cheese himself is sidelined from walking the floor due to COVID. Even the companys pizza recipe has been reimagined to reach a wider audience.
The pandemic has sped up the pace of change for the eatertainment brand and its parent company CEC Entertainment, which in June became the first major chain to declare bankruptcy amid the coronavirus crisis, the companys CEO David McKillips said in an interview with Restaurant Business Monday.
As the Irving, Texas-based company, which also operates Peter Piper Pizza and delivery-only Pasquallys Pizza, navigates bankruptcy proceedings, it is re-envisioning the future of its 43-year-old food-and-games concept Chuck E. Cheese.
Everything were doing, we want to have in-store, at home and online, McKillips said.
Case in point: Parties.
Birthday parties have historically made up 15% of Chuck E. Cheeses revenue, McKillips said. Due to capacity restrictions, the number of birthday parties that can be held at each location per day is greatly reduced.
We are significantly down in our birthday parties right now, in the comp basis, he said. Weve pivoted to delivery birthdays at home.
At-home offerings include goodie bags, tickets for future game play, branded tableware and photo backdrops.
The Chuck E Cheese Shocking Truth
Im a huge Chuckie Cheese fanatic. I use the sites under the name Cheezefan 101. I used to work there. I still have the Pasquale outfit in the closet, along with several plastic spiders, a coca cola souvenir cup and a big ol bucket of plastic pasta that cost 6,000 tickets.
CREEPYPASTA- The Chuck E. Cheese Shocking Truth
Theressomething you should know. I worked at the place from 1995 to 1997, when things took a strange turn for the worse. Indeed, the cheese as we call it in the biz, is not all that its cracked up to be. Eggs. Listen carefully because I dont want to frighten you. I know youre easily scared and this story is easily going to make you lose your sanity because of how much has been covered up by the Chuck E. Cheese Corporation over the years.
The training videos they showed us were a little odd to say the least. I had filed an application through AOL instant messenger when it was just an up and coming technological marvel, and I was approved almost immediately for a minimum wage position. Make the dough. Cook the pizza. Butter it up. Deliver service with a smile.
Or so I thought. Indeed I loved going in there and seeing the little rascals playing in the ball pit, swinging about in the pirate ship game, winning tickets and collecting various, various prizes. Some say the only prize I tried to win was my mortal sanity, after all was said and done.
I was gonna have to do it.
Or so I thought.
Or so. I- Got really confused at what I was looking at.
Also Check: How To Make Mac And Cheese In The Oven
What Time Does Chuck E Cheese Close
Chuck E Cheese hours for closing are quite reasonable give they are mainly targeted towards children. Sunday to Thursday have a decent closing time of 9pm while Friday and Saturday closes an hour later at 10 pm.
These closing hours from Chuck E Cheese are great families with older children that can stay up a bit later, as it allows them to head in a later time and still get some food and entertainment.
Chuck E Cheese Closings: Full List Of Locations That Are Shutting Down
CEC Entertainment, who is the parent company of both Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and now they’ve revealed the full list of leases they are planning to reject. 11 of those locations were locations that had already closed before the coronavirus pandemic required more closings and the full list features locations all across the United States. Some of the bigger hotspots for closings are California, Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Oklahoma, and you can find the full list of closed and closing locations below .
“Subject to ongoing negotiations with its landlords, the Company expects to maintain ongoing operations in these locations throughout the Chapter 11 process, providing dine-in, delivery and carry-out services, hosting birthday parties during dedicated hours, and supporting fundraisers and events in the coming weeks and months,” CEC said in a statement. “The Company also plans to continue opening additional locations each week, steadily bringing more employees back to work.”
Here are all the locations that have either already closed or will be closing and seeking lease rejections.
California
Wisconsin
Appleton
CEC also requested permission to honor game credits, tickets, tokens, gift cards, discount offers, loyalty accounts, and more during the bankruptcy protection process, as they want to use those to help put them in a better position after everything is settled so they can resume business.
You May Like: Can You Eat Feta Cheese On Keto
Chuck E Cheese Holiday Hours Open/closed
Most Chuck E. Cheese pizza restaurants are OPEN on these holidays:
New Years Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Valentines Day Independence Day Labor Day
Most Chuck E. Cheese restaurants are CLOSED on these holidays:
Easter Sunday Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Is Chuck E. Cheese open today? What time does Chuck E. Cheese open tomorrow? Although daily hours can vary, this schedule applies to many locations:
Monday 11:00AM-9:00PM Saturday 10:00AM-10:00PM Sunday 11:00AM-9:00PM
Restaurants may operate on holiday schedules with reduced hours during open holidays. Many locations will open late and/or close early on these days. In addition, several fast food outlets are franchise stores, so hours will vary. To save wasted time and gas, a quick phone call to confirm Chuck E. Cheese holiday hours of operation is always a good idea. Happy holiday dining!
Beware of imitators! When you need Holiday Shopping Hours, be sure youre on HolidayShoppingHours.com
Thanksgiving and Black Friday schedules are subject to change. Stores, restaurants, and shopping malls are currently updating their hours of operation and open/closed status for upcoming 2021 holidays. Scroll down to search all your favorite merchants!
This site is updated daily. Please contact us with updates, additions, and corrections to help make HSH as accurate and complete as possible this holiday season.
